Over a century has passed between Jars' original potteries and its current collections. In 1857, Pierre Jars founded the family company "Manufactures de Poterie Jars" in the South of France.

In 1900, the company received a grand prize at the Universal Exhibition. To this day, the company has remained true to the founder's creative vision of turning objects of day-to-day living into works of art, while transforming the functional into the beautiful.

Today

In the 80s, Pierre Jars' great-grandsons continued the tradition. They modernized the working tools and improved product quality to answer the demands of everyday dinnerware. Pierre Casenove became dedicated to developing a unique identity for Jars in the stoneware family.

This combination of know-how, passion for art and attention to detail created a unique "art de la table" concept, one that is in perfect harmony with contemporary lifestyles. Today, the company is owned by 3 entrepreneurs, from the same region in the south of France. They share the same vision and philosophy: a love of beautiful products and artisanal savoir-faire and an appreciation of the value of hand craftsmanship in France.

Craftmanship

Jars Clay Jars collects its raw materials from very specific locations and selects them with great care (clays, kaolin, feldspars, silicate, etc.) Indeed, everything is important in the production of high quality products that bring together utility and beauty. The clay is refined, filtered, pressed and rolled with a great deal of care. The beauty of the final product will depend on the initial quality and texture of the clay. Mould, glaze, clay, bread, flat cake... the words and processes of the ceramist are similar to that of a bread baker.

Ceramics and gastronomy have always shared a common universe.

Handmade

17... Is the number of times a plate is in the hands of a ceramist before being finalized. Gesture, posture and knowledge of the raw materials are the basics of a long learning process. Many secrets are transmitted through generations, from one Ceramist to another.

Stoneware

Stoneware has a similar firing temperature as China, around 2340 F. Under such a high firing temperature, stoneware gets its very unique glaze aspect that gives it the name of "noble ceramic". We could list all the reasons why stoneware gets this distinction but this would be long. Let's just remember that this is certainly the most resistant in the ceramic family. Thanks to the high firing temperature, this production process allows vitrification of the clay. The process is identical to that of the creation of the rock, millions of years ago.... in this initial trilogy, often mentioned in ceramics: "earth, water and fire."

Like a living creature, stoneware comes from nature and goes back to nature.

Glaze

Colors and glazes are natural and completely composed by JARS based on pigment and metal oxides. Each piece is glazed through a Spray or Dip-In process. Contrary to what one may think, the enamel is not a thin layer of varnish on the clay. In the large family of ceramics, stoneware is the only type where clay and enamel are so closely connected. During the vitrification process at a temperature of 2336 F, the enamel components fuse with the clay. This process allows the products to be non-porous and extremely durable, and creates a very unique glaze that will always remind you of animal, vegetal and mineral substances.

The color variations are the results of a real artisanal, handcrafted work and of a living ceramic clay.

The role of Fire

The raw piece is first dried before being baked in the oven. During this transition, the clay leaves behind its soft form and moves towards its final shape and color. The final decision is made by fire at the high temperature of 2850F.

The firing process ultimately decides the quality of the products. The enamels are teased and mistreated until the door of the oven opens up.. in front of the ceramists who are either satisfied or disappointed. This process allows each piece to be unique: "not quite the same, yet not really different." And we know why.

Philosophy

Above all, we would like the design to be invisible, to be gently evident, not to burden you with "things" that are more or less decorative. On the contrary, we would like to offer you beautiful and useful objects that can softly enter your everyday life with poetry and can have an amazing relationship with you.

At JARS, creativity is enacted through a humbleness towards the ceramic profession and the clay. We want the clay to express itself with the maximum of simplicity, so that elegance and softness can develop as the soul of the object.